Sony's New Front Projectors Elevate Standards On The 4K Home Theater Experience

Sony Electronics - 09/26/2013

DENVER, Sept. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- (CEDIA Booth #1100) – Sony Electronics today announced three home theater front projectors for the custom install channel. The VPL-VW1100ES and VPL-VW600ES 4K front projectors join the High Definition VPL-HW55ES home projector as the leading SXRD-based, large-format displays for the home. Like their predecessors, these projectors are designed to bring the high quality, immersive images of a big screen cinema experience into the home.

"Each year, we come to CEDIA to deliver innovative, high performance products for the custom install channel," said Mike Lucas, senior vice president of Sony Electronics' Home Entertainment & Sound division. "Our ES line-up continues to raise the bar on what the most discerning home entertainment enthusiast expects from Sony, whether they want to enjoy the best picture quality or unmatched sound, we have the right solution for every environment."

Sony VPL-VW1100ES 4K Home Theater ProjectorTwo years ago, Sony introduced its first home theater front projector capable of displaying stunning 4K images. That 4K projector has been updated and is now debuting as the VPL-VW1100ES 4K home theater projector. Specifically designed to support the evolving 4K Ultra HD standards, this new model is also available bundled with the Sony 4K Ultra HD Media Player (model FMP-X1) used to access, download, store and play back 4K content from the Video Unlimited 4K service.

Still designed to meet the needs of custom installers and exceed the expectations of home entertainment enthusiasts, the VPL-VW1100ES delivers an immersive visual experience with four times the resolution of HDTV, and its 2,000 ANSI-lumens of brightness makes it suitable for screen sizes up to 200-inches diagonally. With outstanding black levels due to Sony's Iris 3 technology and advanced SXRD panels, the projector can achieve an incredible 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast. This projector offers a variety of installation options and includes dual triggers, a 2.1x motorized zoom, expanded lens shift, an RS232 interface, control over IP and compatibility with leading home automation systems.

Priced at $27,999.99, the VW1100ES projector also uses Sony's Reality Creation picture engine to dramatically enhance all video content regardless of source, however it also integrates the latest HDMI standard to support 4K/60p playback for smoother images when watching fast moving action content. Furthermore, the VPL-VW1100ES has an exclusive upscaling algorithm designed for "Mastered in 4K" Blu-ray™ discs from Sony Picture Entertainment, which enable the viewer to enjoy more accurate 4K picture quality from HD content delivered on Blu-ray discs. For greater versatility, it can also display Full HD 3D movies, as well as 2D and 3D anamorphic films.

Sony is also highlighting its support for owners and dealers of the VPL-VW1000ES 4K home projector by offering a premium activation service package which includes an in-home service visit, a Sony 4K Ultra HD Media Player (FMP-X1), a Sony Xperia Z Tablet as a controller, and a new replacement lamp. The updates are designed to ensure compatibility with Sony's Video Unlimited 4K download service available through the FMP-X1 player. The updates also ensure compatibility with 4K/60p content from future broadcast or home video sources. Customers should contact their dealer or installer beginning in October for more details and to schedule their premium activation service visit.

The VPL-VW600ES sports a compact, installation-friendly design, offering technology integrators and end-users more options for placement, especially in replacement situations. New features such as front-exhaust, a 2.06x powered zoom lens, and a wide lens shift range provide further installation flexibility and remarkable performance in nearly every screening room. For 3D viewing, the VW600 includes a built in RF transmitter which conforms to the "Full HD 3D Initiative" industry standard and uses the same glasses as Sony's 3D Bravia televisions. Available in November for $14,999.99, this projector is optimized to work with Video Unlimited 4K, which is only available in the US. It may also be purchased as a package that includes a Sony FMP-X1 4K Ultra HD Media Player and a Sony Xperia Z Tablet for $15,999.99.

"Sony knows from our experience in the custom install channel that not every screening room will be part of a new construction, but we also know that home projector enthusiasts are eager to bring 4K entertainment home," said Andre Floyd, manager in Sony Electronics' Home Front Projector Group. "The innovative design and proven technology in the VPL-VW600ES allows us, with our Custom Install Solutions channel partners, to deliver the cinema experience to more homes than ever before."

Sony VPL-HW55ES HD 3D Home ProjectorFor smaller screening environments, the VPL-HW55ES home projector is the next generation of Sony's industry-acclaimed and multiple-award winning VPL-HW50ES from 2012.

Enhanced optical efficiency and an improved cooling system enables longer lasting lamp (approximately 5,000 hours) and reaches 1,700 ANSI lumen of brightness, delivering clear images, even in well-lit environments. With its proven optical engine and Advanced Iris 3 technology, the new workhorse of Sony's front projector line achieves a dynamic contrast ratio of more than 120,000:1. This improves black levels without diminishing peak brightness to maximize detail during darker scenes. This projector also has Sony's Digital Reality Creation picture engine and delivers the superior picture quality in SD, HD or 3D. The VPL-HW55ES will be available from custom installers throughout the U.S. in October at $3,999.99.

Because you care about musicSony's CEDIA booth is also filled with the latest in audio technology for enthusiasts and installers to audition. Demonstrations include the new high resolution audio components, the ground-breaking line of A/V Receivers which incorporate home automation technology and have been updated to support additional Hi-Res audio codecs, and the handcrafted ES speaker line.

For full specifications and a list of dealers, please visit www.sony.com/es.